JERUSALEM, Feb. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon underwent a minor procedure on Wednesday to have fluid drained from his abdominal cavity after a CT scan found the problem, said a statement issued by the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem.

  ;  Sharon, who was admitted to the Hadassah Hospital on Jan. 4 after suffering cerebral bleeding and has since been in a deep coma, remained in stable but serious condition, the statement said.

    Sharon underwent an emergency surgery on Feb. 11 to remove 50 centimeters of his large intestine after a CT scan revealed problems with the blood flow to intestines.

    Sharon, who turns 78 later this month, has been relied on respirator since his stroke and a feeding tube, which was inserted into his stomach on Feb. 1.

    Medical experts indicated that the Israeli political veteran was unlikely to regain consciousness. Enditem